Tape measure



L. R. SMITH April 14, 1931.

TAPE MEASURE Filed Jan.

iwf/766.5

Patented Apr. 14, 1931 i UNITED STATES PATENTOFFICE j Louis n. smrrn, oF KEKAHA, KAUAI, Tnnm'ronY or Heuvel);`

TAPE iunasuain` i y Application mea January 23, 1929, f serial No. 334,459.

This invention relates in general to tape measures, and particularly to that class of tape measures which are constructed of metal, or some breakable material and wound in successive layers upon a spool or bobbin and housed in a suitable casing.

In tape measures of this kind, considerable annoyance is experienced by reason of the eX posed or free end of the tape becoming broken 1l when permitted to dangle or hang loose through the slot in the casing.

The primary object of the present invention is to overcome this existing condition, to which end, it is proposed to so construct the casing which houses the tape that the free end of the tape will be suitably protected and housed within the casing when not in use.

A further object is to accomplish the foregoing results in a simple and cheap manner and to employ a construction which will leave the periphery of the casing free of any radial extensions or outstanding enlargements.

Further objects will be apparent upon reference to the accompanying drawing and following description.

The invention will be hereinafter particularly described and then pointed out in the claims following.

In the accompanying drawings which form part of this application for Letters Patent, and whereon corresponding numerals refer to like parts in the several views:

Figure 1 is a fragmentary sectional view of the invention in the normal arrangement and relation of parts;

Figure 2 is also a fragmentary view, being an elevation of a portion of the casing closed;

Figure 3 is a view corresponding with Figure 2 except that here the closure of the casing is shown open;

Figure 4 is a transverse, sectional view taken on the line 4-4 of Figure 1; and

Figure 5 is also a transverse section taken on the line 5 5 of Figure 1.

Reference being had to the drawings and numerals thereon,6 indicates a tape line casing of the usual drum-like construction, having arectangular slot 7 in its periphery to permit withdrawal of the free end of an ordinary tape line 8, or other measuring line of fabric or ribbon steel when desired. l The line 8 itself is of the usual, or of any preferred construction, and bears upon its `surface suitablegraduations. `It is secured at its'inner end and is preferably arranged upon a centrally .positioned recoil drum i (not shown), as usual 1n the mounting of such lines or `measures in their enclosing casings. `In order that the exposed or free end of the line 8 may be protected and `suitably housed within the casing 6 when the measure is not in use, a

reciprocating shutter or closure for the peripheral opening 7 is provided, comprising an arcuate shaped strip 9 of sheet nforming in shape tothe outer circumference of casing 6. This shutter or closure 9 is disposed slidablyimounted upon oppositely ledges 10, 10, as best shown by Figcumference of casing 6.

. Ad acent oneend 4of the there is p s outlet opening 7 rovided a lug ltserving as a permanent abutment for theinner end of shutter 9 when closed7 `and beneath this lug or stop 14, is positionedtransversely arranged rollers 15 and 15 between which the line 8 must pass when being reeled out or in, while the free end of line 8 is provided with the usual ring or rectangular bail 16, which differs however,

from the that itis ordinaryterminal rings or bails in of a width less than that of the slot 7, which `it'ffcan therefore enter bodily as shown by Figure 3.

. This b eing substantially the construction 11, ,as shown by Figure 1.

and arrangement of the present invention, its use and operation are quite apparent at ay glance and would seem to require no detailed explanation.

Obviously it is highly desirable to` havev the line or measure 8 completely housed and therefore protected, when not in useas indicated by Figure 1.A VVhenoccasion requires however, the operation of placing the line in use is simply that of pushing the knob f1 along the slot 12 to the position indicated by Figure 8. therebyepenng the .outlet 7, and exposing ithe free. end of thev line .8.

Terminal ring or bail 16 may now b 'and drawn through Slot .1,2 as requiredpl- `lowed by the line 8 beneath the-transverse The .reverse n l rollers 15 and 15 ready for use. action is equally apparent, and when released, line and bail'again resume .their completely enclosed or. housed position within the casing -fwhereupoll Shutter 9 may beagainreturned V.0f the :knob v toits :Closed position tby agency Y'-HwigH1115 .dQSrbed myinvention, what I 110W Claim and desire to securey by'l Letters Y Patent is: Y

1. AV casing for Ya-tape measure or thelike e .une Y end of the opening and a stop Vmemberpositioned in the container at the opposite end of In testimony whereof I axV my signature.

R. sMrTH. e

vsus

comprising ya cylindrical housing having an .i

opening in its -periphery,ledge s carried by the housing inwardlyY of the opening and at Yone end thereof, and a shutter `slidably `mounted onsaid ledges. Y Y

2. A casing for a tape measure or .the like `Comprising a' cylindrical housing havingan opening in its periphery, ledges carried :by the housing inwardly'of the opening, a shutter slidably mounted on said V-ledges and means :tor holding the shutter infrictional engagement with the ledges.V i

3. A casing for a tapemeasure-or the like comprisinga cylindrical housing having an opening in its periphery,.ledges carriedby the housing inwardly ofthe opening, a Yshutter Y slidably mounted on said ledges, and a spring positioned between the shutter and the pee riphery ofthe casing' to urge the 'shutterref siliently against the ledges.

4. Acontainerhaving an outer portion prov videdA withan` opening, a ledge anda stop spaced apa-rt at opposite endsof thelopen.-V Y

ing, and a shutter slidably engaged with the Y .u i

ledge, the ledge being` shaped to guide the*V l shutter against the-stop.

5. A container having a portion provided with Van opening, a ledgeanotaV stop associated with the container near the' opening and being spaced apart to allow access through the opening between them to the interior of the container, and a shutter slidably engaged with the ledge, the ledge being shapedto guide the shutter against Vthe stop f to close the opening.

6. A" cylindrical container. including a Vperipheral portion provided withan opening, y il a. pair of:v ledges formed in the container, at one CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION.

Patent No. i,8il0,91i. Granted April 14, 193i, to

LOUIS R. SMITH.

It is hereby certified that error appears in the above numbered patent requiring correction as follows: in the grant, and in the heading to the printed specification the residence of the patentes was erroneously written and printed os "idekaha, Kauai, Territory of Hawaii", whereas said residence should have been written and printed as Hawthorne, Nevada; and that the said Letters Patent should be read with this correction therein that the same may conform to the record oi the case in the Patent Oiice.

Signed and sealed this 26th day of May, A. D. IBI.

M. J. Moore, (Seal) Acting Commissioner of Patents. 

